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London to Holland from £64
There's a Rail & Sail service from London or Any Greater Anglia station to the Netherlands. You can leave central London by train around 19:30, sleep in a cosy private cabin with shower, toilet, WiFi & satellite TV on the luxurious Stena Line superferry from 21:00 to 08:00, and be in Rotterdam at 09:00 or Amsterdam Centraal at 10:25. It saves a hotel bill in London or Amsterdam and it's an experience in itself, see the video.
CO2 savings: Flight = 68 Kg CO2 per passenger, Rail & Sail = 13.6 Kg = 80% saving (Source).
London ► Amsterdam overnight
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Step 1, travel from London to Harwich by train.
On Mondays-Fridays, leave London Liverpool Street at 19:36 arriving Harwich International 21:00.
On Saturdays, leave London Liverpool Street at 19:04 arriving Harwich International 20:26.
On Sundays leave London Liverpool Street at 20:00 arriving Harwich International 21:16.
From Cambridge or Ipswich, leave Cambridge at 19:46 or Ipswich at 21:03, arriving Harwich International at 21:29.
You can check train times from any UK town or city to Harwich at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
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Step 2, sail from Harwich to Hoek van Holland overnight.
Stena Line's luxurious superferry sails from Harwich at 23:00, arriving Hoek van Holland at 08:00 next morning.
You can board from around 20:55 onwards, check-in closes at 22:15. All passengers sleep in private cabins with toilet & shower, satellite TV & WiFi, see choice of cabins. The ship's self-service restaurant will be open for dinner. Remember that Dutch time is 1 hour ahead of UK time.
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Step 3, take the metro from Hoek van Holland to Schiedam or Rotterdam.
Air-conditioned metro trains leave Hoek van Holland every 20 minutes weekdays, every 30 minutes at weekends from just outside the ferry terminal, taking 23 minutes to Schiedam Centrum, 30 minutes to Beurs or Eendrachtsplein in downtown Rotterdam & 50 minutes to Rotterdam Alexander. There's usually one around 08:32 weekdays or 08:50 weekends. You can check metro times at www.ret.nl. See metro map.
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Step 4 take a Dutch train to Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands.
For Delft, Den Haag, Leiden, Haarlem & Amsterdam, get off the metro at Schiedam Centrum.
Take the intercity train leaving Schiedam Centrum platform 5 at 09:16 arriving Delft 09:24, Den Haag HS 09:31, Leiden Centraal 09:45, Haarlem 10:06 & Amsterdam Centraal at 10:24.
These Intercity trains run every 15 minutes (every 30 minutes Sunday mornings), double-deck with free WiFi. You can check times at www.ns.nl.
For Gouda, Utrecht, Amersfoort, Zwolle, Leeuwarden or Groningen, get off the metro at Rotterdam Alexander and take an intercity train. These run to Utrecht every 15 minutes taking 30 minutes, to Groningen every hour taking 2h29. Check times to other cities at www.ns.nl. Tips for changing at Rotterdam Alexander. You reach Utrecht at or before 10:28.
For anywhere else in the Netherlands, check train times using www.ns.nl. Read the fare notes here.
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How much does it cost? How to buy tickets The journey in pictures
London ► Amsterdam by day
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Step 1, travel from London to Harwich by train.
On Mondays-Fridays, leave London Liverpool Street at 06:30 by direct train, arriving Harwich International 07:51.
On Saturdays, leave London Liverpool Street at 06:36 by direct train arriving Harwich International 07:59.
On Sundays, leave London Liverpool Street at 06:45 by direct train arriving Harwich International 08:11.
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Step 2, sail from Harwich to Hoek van Holland by ferry.
Stena Line's luxurious superferry sails from Harwich at 09:00 Mondays-Fridays & Sundays, arriving Hoek van Holland 17:15.
On Saturdays she sails from Harwich at 09:00 and arrives Hoek van Holland at 16:45.
The ship has private cabins, lounges, cafe, bar, children's play area, self-service restaurant & premium Stena Plus lounge.
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Step 3, take the metro from Hoek van Holland to Schiedam or Rotterdam.
Air-conditioned metro trains leave Hoek van Holland every 20 minutes weekdays, every 30 minutes at weekends from just outside the ferry terminal, taking 23 minutes to Schiedam, 30 minutes to Beurs or Eendrachtsplein in downtown Rotterdam or 50 minutes to Rotterdam Alexander. You can check times at www.ret.nl. See metro network map.
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Step 4, take a Dutch train to Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands.
For Delft, Den Haag, Leiden, Haarlem & Amsterdam, get off the metro at Schiedam Centrum.
Take the intercity train leaving Schiedam Centrum platform 5 at 18:46, arriving Delft 18:54, Den Haag HS 19:01, Leiden Centraal 19:15, Haarlem 19:36 & Amsterdam Centraal 19:54.
The InterCity train is double-deck with free WiFi, find a top deck seat for the best views. Check Dutch train times at www.ns.nl.
For Gouda, Utrecht, Amersfoort, Zwolle, Leeuwarden or Groningen, get off the metro at Rotterdam Alexander and take an intercity train to Utrecht (every 15 minutes taking 30 minutes) or Groningen (every hour, taking 2h29). See tips for changing trains at Rotterdam Alexander. You should reach Utrecht at or before 19:28. Check times to other cities at www.ns.nl.
For anywhere else in the Netherlands, check train times using www.ns.nl. Read the fare notes here.
Amsterdam ► London overnight
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Step 1, travel to Hoek van Holland by train & metro
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 18:36, Haarlem 18:53, Leiden Centraal 19:15 or Den Haag HS 19:29 by InterCity train arriving Schiedam Centrum at 19:44. The Intercity train is double-deck, sit upstairs for the best views.
Then travel from Schiedam Centrum to Hoek of Holland Haven by metro train. These run every 20 minutes on weekdays or every 30 minutes at weekends taking 24 minutes. By all means catch an earlier train/metro combo, your ticket is valid on any departure and the ship starts boarding from around 19:30. At Hoek, the metro arrives just across the road from the ferry terminal. See metro map.
From Groningen or Utrecht: Take an Intercity train to Rotterdam Alexander, leaving Groningen at 15:18 or Utrecht at 17:48, check times at www.ns.nl. Then take the metro from Alexander to Hoek van Holland Haven, this runs every 20 minutes weekdays, every 30 minutes weekends, there's usually one at 18:41 arriving Hoek van Holland at 19:42, check times at www.ret.nl. Tips for changing at Rotterdam Alexander.
From Rotterdam, take the metro from any city metro station (for example Beurs or Eendrachtsplein) to Hoek van Holland Haven leaving around 19:00. The metro runs every 20 minutes weekdays, every 30 minutes weekends, journey 30 minutes. Check times at www.ret.nl. See metro map.
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Step 2, sail from Hoek van Holland to Harwich overnight
Stena Line's luxurious superferry sails from Hoek at 22:00 every day, arriving Harwich at 06:30 next morning.
Boarding at Hoek van Holland starts around 19:30 and closes at 21:15. All passengers sleep in private cabins with toilet & shower, satellite TV & WiFi, see choice of cabins. You can have dinner in the restaurant or enjoy a nightcap in the bar. UK time is 1 hour behind Dutch time.
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Step 3, travel from Harwich to London by train
On Mondays-Fridays, a train leaves Harwich International at 07:09 direct to London arriving London Liverpool Street 08:54.
On Saturdays, a train leaves Harwich International at 07:20 direct to London, arriving London Liverpool Street 08:44.
On Sundays, a train leaves Harwich International at 07:20 change at Manningtree, arriving London Liverpool Street 08:57.
For Ipswich & Cambridge, on Mondays to Fridays a train leaves Harwich International at 07:45 arriving Ipswich 08:15 & Cambridge 09:41. On Saturdays at 07:50 arriving Ipswich 08:17 & Cambridge 09:40. On Sundays it leaves Harwich at 08:50, arriving Ipswich 09:13 & Cambridge 10:39.
Check British train times at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Amsterdam ► London by day
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Step 1, travel to Hoek van Holland by train & metro
On Mondays-Saturdays, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 11:06, Haarlem 11:23, Leiden Centraal 11:45 or Den Haag HS at 11:59 by InterCity train to Schiedam Centrum, arriving at 12:14.
On Sundays, leave Amsterdam Centraal 10:35, Haarlem 10:51, Leiden Centraal 11:15 or Den Haag HS 11:29 arriving Schiedam Centrum 11:43.
These InterCity trains are double-deck, go upper deck for the best views. Then travel from Schiedam Centrum to Hoek of Holland by metro train, these run every 20 minutes weekdays or every 30 minutes at weekends taking 24 minutes.
From Groningen or Utrecht: Take an Intercity train to Rotterdam Alexander, leaving Groningen at 09:18 or Utrecht at 11:18 on Mondays-Saturdays, or Groningen 08:18 & Utrecht 10:48 on Sundays. You can check times at www.ns.nl.
Then take the metro from Alexander to Hoek van Holland Haven, this runs every 20 minutes weekdays, every 30 minutes weekends, one usually leaves at 12:08 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Hoek van Holland at 13:00, or 11:51 on Sundays arriving Hoek at 12:42, check times at www.ret.nl. See metro map. Tips for changing at Rotterdam Alexander.
From Rotterdam, take the metro from any city metro station (for example Beurs or Eendrachtsplein) to Hoek van Holland Haven. The metro runs every 20 minutes weekdays, every 30 minutes weekends, journey time 30 minutes. You need to leave Rotterdam at or just after 12:30 on Mondays-Saturdays, 12:00 on Sundays. Check metro times at www.ret.nl. See metro map.
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Step 2, sail from Hoek van Holland to Harwich by ferry.
Stena Line's luxurious superferry sails at 14:15 Monday-Saturday or 13:45 Sundays, arriving Harwich 19:45. The ship has private cabins, lounges, cafe, bar, children's play area, self-service restaurant & premium Stena Plus lounge.
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Step 3, travel from Harwich to London by train.
On Mondays-Saturdays a train leaves Harwich International at 20:45 arriving London Liverpool Street 22:14.
On Sundays, a train leaves Harwich International at 20:30, arriving London Liverpool Street 21:43.
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How much does it cost? How to buy tickets The journey in pictures
How much does it cost?
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1. A RailSail ticket from London or any Greater Anglia station to Hoek van Holland starts at £64.
Returns are twice the one way fare. Higher fares apply on peak dates or at short notice.
Children under 15 from £32 each way. Children under 4 free.
Tickets cover the British train and the ferry, from London or any Greater Anglia station to Hoek van Holland.
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2. Add the cost of a private cabin, compulsory on the night boat, optional on the day boat.
The price is per cabin, not per person. Prices vary by date like air fares, they can be a higher on busy days.
All cabins have shower, toilet & satellite TV, see the photos of each type of cabin below.
Adding a cot for a child aged 0-3 costs £4, you can add when booking.
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Optional extras on night boat:
1-course dinner in the self-service restaurant: £16
Breakfast in self-service restaurant: £12.
Dog or other pet: £23 for a reserved cage in the kennels, pet-friendly cabins also available.
Stena Plus Lounge: £25 with complimentary tea, coffee, wine, snacks & complimentary breakfast.
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Optional extras on day boat:
1-course lunch in the self-service restaurant: £16.
Stena Plus Lounge: £25 with complimentary tea, coffee, red & white wine & snacks.
Dog or other pet: £23 for a reserved cage in the kennels, pet-friendly cabins also available.
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3. Metro ticket from Hoek van Holland to Schiedam Centrum costs €4.
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4. Train ticket from Schiedam Centrum to Amsterdam Centraal costs €18.30.
About these fares
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Rail & Sail fares include train travel from any Greater Anglia railway station to Harwich, including London Liverpool Street, Stratford, Cambridge, Colchester, Chelmsford, Norwich, Ipswich, Ely, Romford, Ilford, Bishop's Stortford. Simply check train fares & times to Harwich International using www.nationalrail.co.uk. Allow plenty of time (at least 45 minutes, preferably more) to connect with the ferry at Harwich.
From Edinburgh, York, Birmingham, Leicester, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham & so on all you need is a ticket to Ely as your rail & sail ticket is valid from any Greater Anglia station on any Greater Anglia train. Or you can go via London, which may be faster & no more expensive.
The fare is to/from Hoek van Holland, it no longer covers travel to Any Dutch station as NS pulled out of this RailSail fares arrangement in 2019.
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Onwards to Germany: Use the German Railways website int.bahn.de to find train times & buy a ticket from Schiedam Centrum or Rotterdam Alexander to Cologne, Frankfurt or Southern Germany by ICE train. That way you won't need a Dutch train ticket, just the RET metro ticket.
Luggage, dogs & bikes
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Luggage
You can take as much luggage as you can carry, there are no weight or size limits. Just remember you will have to handle it! You keep your luggage with you throughout the journey, putting it on the luggage racks on the trains and taking it into your cabin on the ferry. On the day sailing, if you don't have a cabin it can be left in a luggage room that will be locked during the crossing.
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Bicycles
You can take a bike with you by adding it to the Stena Line Rail & Sail booking, for full details see the Bikes by train page.
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Dogs & pets
You can take your dog or cat under the PETS travel scheme, if you reserve an on-board kennel. Buy a Rail & Sail ticket in the normal way at www.stenaline.co.uk/rail-and-sail/to-holland, and at the stage where you enter the number of passengers and select a cabin, simply enter the number of animals requiring a reserved kennel. Dogs go free on the train from London to Harwich. On Dutch trains, small dogs or cats go free if they are in a container on your lap, for a larger dog you'll need to buy a Dog Day Card (Dagkart Hond) for about €3 - you can buy this at the guest services desk on deck 9 on board the Stena Line ferry. For more information see the taking your dog or pet page.
How to buy tickets starting in the UK
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Step 1, book a RailSail ticket from London to Hoek van Holland at www.stenaline.co.uk/rail-and-sail/to-holland.
Scroll down and click the blue button marked Book a Dutchflyer Rail & Sail ticket. Booking usually opens 12 months ahead.
You can buy a one-way or round trip Rail & Sail ticket from London or any Greater Anglia station to Hoek van Holland. You used to be able to buy tickets to Any Dutch Station, but NS ceased co-operating in 2019, so just book Rail & Sail to Hoek van Holland.
I recommend booking a cabin on the day crossing even though it's optional as it's half-price and somewhere to relax, freshen up or watch TV.
A Rail & Sail ticket to Hoek van Holland includes the train from London or any Greater Anglia station (including Cambridge, Norwich) to Harwich and the ferry to Hoek. You can add a cabin & meals, and (if you have a dog) reserve a kennel. However, you can't add a bike with RailSail.
You print your own ticket, this .pdf printout is all you need to board the train in London (or any Greater Anglia station) & check in for the ferry.
To buy one-way or return tickets starting in the Netherlands you must use Stena Line's Dutch website as explained below.
If you're from the USA, try booking at www.stenaline.co.uk. If your payment card is rejected, (a) create an account at the end of the booking process and it'll save your booking with a reference number, (b) call Stena Line on +44 343 208 1801 between 08:00 & 17:00 London time, quote your booking reference and they will take your card details by phone. Feedback appreciated. The Stena website gives a toll-free US number to call, but this doesn't work, so use the UK one.
To buy tickets by phone, call Stena Line on 03443 350 027 (lines open 08:30-20:00 Mondays-Fridays, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays, 09:00-17:00 Sundays, all cabin & meal options can be sold). A booking fee applies to phone bookings.
To buy in person at London Liverpool Street station ticket office: You can buy tickets on the day, but places are limited and fares cheaper if you book in advance. It's also better to buy from Stena Line, as rail companies can only offer regular cabin, not Comfort or Captain's class.
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Step 2, buy a ticket for the Dutch Railways from Schiedam Centrum to Amsterdam.
The easy way: On NS (Dutch Railways) you can now simply touch in & touch out with any contactless debit or credit card, or with your phone if it's linked to your card. There's no need to buy a ticket, just hold your card against the reader on the ticket gate at the beginning and end of your journey. The gate will open and the fare will be debited from your bank account.
The regular way: If you want to travel 1st class and/or need tickets for children, you'll need to buy normal tickets in the normal way.
Go to the NS (Dutch Railways) website www.ns.nl, click In English top right.
If going to Amsterdam, run an enquiry from Hoek van Holland Haven to Amsterdam Centraal. It'll show combined metro+train journeys, and it'll sell you a ticket for the NS mainline train part of the journey (i.e. not including the metro).
The ticket you want is Price with e-ticket, click the yellow buy button below that.
This is an open ticket good for any train that day, so it doesn't matter what time train you buy it for. It cannot sell out, the price is fixed, you can buy it on the day if you like. NS return tickets are for coming back the same-day, if staying away for longer than a day, buy two one-ways.
If going elsewhere in the Netherlands, run an enquiry from Hoek van Holland Haven to your Dutch destination. The journey planner will show whether it's best to switch from the metro to an NS train at Schiedam Centrum (for example, for Amsterdam or Den Haag) or at Rotterdam Alexander (for example, for Utrecht or Arnhem). If you click the button under Price with e-ticket it'll sell you the ticket for the NS mainline part.
You print out the ticket or can show it in the NS app. Or download & buy tickets on the NS app for iPhone or NS app for Android.
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Step 3, buy a metro ticket from Hoek van Holland Haven to Schiedam Centrum (or to Rotterdam Alexander if changing there). You want a RET 2-hour ticket for around €4. See metro network map.
The easy way is to touch in & touch out with any contactless Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card and the fare will be debited from your bank account. Alternatively, you can buy a metro ticket using the ticket machines at Hoek van Holland, or buy tickets on the RET app,
To buy a metro ticket on your phone: 1. Download the RET App from the Apple App Store or the RET app from the Google Play Store, you can do this before leaving home. 2. Buy a RET 2 hours mobile ticket when it suits you & pay with credit card or Apple Pay. 3. Activate your RET 2 hours ticket before travelling by metro, bus & tram. 4. Use the barcode on the mobile ticket to check in & out of the metro, bus and tram. More info at www.ret.nl/home/reizen/stenaline.html.
How to buy tickets starting in the Netherlands
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Step 1, book a ferry & train ticket at www.stenaline.nl. Booking usually opens up to 12 months ahead.
Leave it in Dutch and use Google/Chrome Translate where necessary.
Select Hoek van Holland as starting point and Elk Greater Anglia station in UK as destination.
Retour is return, Enkele reis is one-way. Heenreis is outward, Terugreis is inward. All very straightforward, even in Dutch!
You print your own ticket, this is all you need to board the Stena Line ferry & take the train from Harwich to London or any Greater Anglia station.
To buy tickets by phone: Stena Line's Dutch telesales line is 0900-8123 if calling from the Netherlands or +31 174 315 811 if calling from overseas, lines open 08:30-18:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00 Saturdays, Dutch time.
UK residents can try calling Stena Line UK telesales on 03443 350 027, open 08:30-20:00 Mondays-Fridays, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays, 09:00-17:00 Sundays, but for tickets starting in the Netherlands they may tell you to call their Dutch office.
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Step 2, buy a Dutch train ticket from Amsterdam to Schiedam Centrum.
The easy way: NS (Dutch Railways) allow you to touch in & out with any Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card, or with your phone if you've linked it to your debit card. There's no need to buy a ticket or pre-plan, just place your bank card against the reader on the ticket gate at the beginning of your journey and it will open. Do the same at the other end. The fare will be debited from your bank account.
The regular way: If you want to travel 1st class and/or need tickets with child discount, you need to buy tickets in the normal way. Go to the NS (Dutch Railways) website www.ns.nl, click In English top right, and buy tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it in the NS app.
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Step 3, buy a metro ticket from Schiedam Centrum to Hoek van Holland Haven (or from Rotterdam Alexander to Hoek van Holland if changing from NS to the metro there), you can buy this on the day. You want a RET 2-hour ticket for around €4.
The easy way is simply to touch in & out with any contactless Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card and the fare will be debited from your bank account. Alternatively, you can buy a metro ticket using the self-service ticket machines at any RET metro station, or buy tickets on the RET app,
Route map
Click for larger map. Highlighted = London to Amsterdam train & ferry route. Green = scenic routes. Red = high-speed lines.
Reproduced from the excellent European Rail Map with kind permission of the European Rail Timetable people. I recommend buying the European Rail Map for your travels and a copy of the European Rail Timetable, www.europeanrailtimetable.eu with shipping worldwide.
What's the journey like?
1. London to Harwich by train
The train to Harwich leaves from London Liverpool Street station in the City of London, see location map.
The departure board will tell you which platform it leaves from, usually platform 13, there's no check-in, just board any time before it leaves. Your Stena e-ticket is all you need to board the train, staff will let you through the ticket gates when you show it.
The train is air-conditioned with power sockets, free WiFi & toilets. There are no reserved seats, you sit where you like, you'll have no problem finding a seat. Luggage goes on the racks or on the floor. You can also board the train at Stratford, Shenfield, Chelmsford, Colchester & Manningtree.
Tip: On a weekday evening, Liverpool Street station is busy with commuters. A more peaceful place to wait with a coffee or beer is the Eastway Brasserie (eastwaybrasserie.co.uk) or 1901 Wine Lounge, both part of the Andaz London Liverpool Street Hotel, formerly the Great Eastern Hotel. Go up the big escalators opposite platforms 1-4, leave the station and turn left along the station facade.
Tip: If you want to be first onto the ship at Harwich, sit at the rear of the train - although the front will be emptier if you want to spread out.
London Liverpool Street station.
The train to Harwich International is air-conditioned with toilets, power outlets at seats & free WiFi.
2. Harwich to Hoek van Holland by Stena Line ferry
At Harwich, the train arrives right next to the ferry terminal, you'll see the ship on your left as the train pulls in. Walk back along the platform towards the rear of the train, go through the glass doors and up the escalators to the ferry check-in on the 1st floor.
Boarding the ferry: This is a breeze compared to airports or even Eurostar. Stena Line staff will check your e-ticket at the door marked Departures. Then there's an X-ray bag scan and metal detector check. After that, there's a check-in desk where Stena Line staff check your passport, scan the barcode on your e-ticket and print your cabin key. You then walk up the passenger gangway onto the ferry. It can literally take as little as 15 minutes from train to ship!
On board: You enter the ship on deck 7, walk up the stairs or take the lift to deck 9 where all the passenger facilities are located including bars, restaurant, shop, lounges & the guest services desk. All cabins are on decks 10 & 11. There is open deck towards the stern on deck 9 for some sea air. The Stena Plus Lounge has complimentary tea, coffee, red & white wine, snacks & soft drinks. On a day crossing, I recommend paying for a private cabin (they're half price by day), as you can snooze, shower, watch TV, or just relax or work in privacy.
WiFi: WiFi is available on board, free for email & simple browsing with a paid-for package for faster higher-bandwidth access. You can use your normal mobile phone data while the ferry is in or near port. Switch it to flight mode when at sea.
All-weather reliable and steady as a rock. I've never known these ferries cancelled. They normally sail on time all the time, I've only ever known them late once, and that was a January daytime crossing into the teeth of a Force 11 storm. At 63,000 tons, these Stena Line superferries are the largest Ro-Pax ships serving the UK, steady as a rock in almost all weathers. Crossing in winter as a 'named' Force 10 storm lashed the North Sea, I fell asleep, woke briefly in the night and felt some minor undulation, fell asleep again and woke at Harwich as we sailed in right on time. I've sailed to the Netherlands at Christmas watching BBC news on our cabin TV about Heathrow closed due of snow and all flights grounded - the Stena Line ferry arrived on time as always. This is the all-weather reliable route!
Lights ablaze, restaurant & bars already open, the ferry boards at Harwich International. Click the images below for larger photos.
Lounge and cafe, aft on deck 9 aboard the Stena Britannica. So civilised compared to an airline seat.
Self-service restaurant, forward on deck 9. The food counter is out of shot to the right.
